Mapping brain regions affected by aging and Alzheimer's disease
Establishing cellular-validated standards for parcellating hippocampal subfields in aging and Alzheimer's disease
This study is working on a new imaging tool to help doctors see how aging and Alzheimer's disease affect certain parts of the brain, specifically the hippocampus, so they can better understand the differences between normal aging and early signs of Alzheimer's in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11083738 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a reliable imaging tool to evaluate specific areas of the hippocampus that are impacted by aging and Alzheimer's disease. By creating detailed cellular maps of the hippocampal subfields, the study seeks to differentiate between normal aging and early signs of Alzheimer's. The approach involves using advanced neuroimaging techniques combined with histological analysis of brain tissue to identify vulnerable cell populations. This comprehensive mapping will help establish biomarkers that can be used to assess Alzheimer's vulnerability in living patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who may be experiencing cognitive decline or have been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia unrelated to Alzheimer's may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools for early detection of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using neuroimaging to study brain changes in Alzheimer's, but this specific cellular mapping approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Augustinack, Jean — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Augustinack, Jean
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.